Tombstone has every element that would make it a great movie, probably one of the best Westerns in recent memory, but a few unnecessary side stories and characters too many weaken the overall effect. Of course, it's a Hollywood-ized tale based on the legendary true story of Wyatt Earp (Russell, Big Trouble in Little China), a former lawman who moves with his three brothers out to Tombstone, AZ, in order to settle down and (hopefully) make themselves a small fortune. However, they didn't realize that the town they were living is actually run by a powerful gang known as the "Cowboys," who have strong-armed their will, and struck fear in the hearts of the local sheriff and his clan. Tensions between the brothers and the Cowboys escalate when the former lawmen can't just sit idly by while crimes against humanity are being committed, resulting in a deadly feud that won't cease until one side is wiped out by the other. While the story deals with Earp and his quest to bring justice to Tombstone, it is a dynamite action-drama that starts with a slow simmer until it threatens to boil over with excitement. The friendship between Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday is also remarkably well-handled, with Val Kilmer (True Romance, Top Gun) stealing scenes with every frame he's in. However, it doesn't all work. Tombstone is weakened by a sappy romantic subplot that persists in re-emerging, presumably to allow for a happy ending. Trouble is, there are already four endings to this story as presented, and the makers have chosen the weakest one to ride out on. By removing this and a few straggling characters here and there, what you'd be left with is a near-perfect example of classic Western filmmaking. But I'm quibbling here, since Tombstone is still quite an engaging piece of entertainment, and even if the symbolism is heavy-handed and the themes are simplistically presented, the stage has still been set for a riveting showdown. It's well-developed Western fare for those who have a soft spot for all Hollywood oaters, no matter how glossy and glamorized it may be. It's a mechanical form of filmmaking, but this machine is unquestionably well-oiled.Read full review
Kurt Russell as Wyatt Earp, Sam Elliott as Virgil Earp, Bill Paxton as Morgan Earp, Michael Biehn as Johnny Ringo and Val Kilmer as Doc Hollyday. An all star cast, with many stars, in many places, including Billy Zane. Some unknowns, who have come up later. Along with Robert Mitchum who narrates the opening. The scene opens in Tombstone Arizona, and the opening is to explain the role of the cowboy, who is ruthless and murderers...but not all cowboys were like this, for historical reasons, many cowboys, were punch hands, civilized. Wyatt Earp, was always best as a Lawman, but never figured it out, he wanted out of the Law business, and strike it rich, while others suffered, but deep down, he was good at one thing, Virgil Earp is the one, who brings them all back into the law business and Morgan, who has never experienced taking a life, finds out, it is not what it seems to be. And Wyatt, who is the most experienced in the law and order side of the family, once again, wants to be peaceful, and disarm the cowboys. Ike Clanton, pushes his weight around with the backing of curly joe, the leader of the cowboys. History has shown, that The real murderers were the ones who thought they were above the law, and thought everyone should pay attention to their rules and laws as they went along...People like the Earps, were a part of history, and everything collided on a fateful day in Tombstone, where law and order was being enforced, and the local town sheriff, Sheriff Bean, who thought he could pretend to be friends with the common criminal and not cause a feud in town, could stop and hinder the outcome of what the Clantons were pushing for! However, it didn't turn out that way--Tombstone, is where you learn from a historical point of view, what happened at tombstone at the ok corral, and beyond as Wyatt Earp hunted down the outlaws and murderers of his time...and follows Earp right up to the end of his career...Read full review
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This is my favorite Tombstone version because of Kurt Russell and especially Val Kilmer as Doc Holliday. We all like our manly heroes that beat up the really bad guys and bring more peace and justice to the regular folks. These two do the job. The old West was a really dangerous, lawless place. It's a good thing there were able MEN who were willing to lay their lives on the line. They are needed today & we'd better revere those who protect & defend us. I don't like Dana Delaney as Josephine (reason not 5 stars) but have to put up with her to get the others, including Sam Elliott as Virgil Earp. Yes, there is violence but that is the story, the history of the old West.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Actors Kurt Russel and Val Kilmer did a great job of performing the essential Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday on screen. These two very talented, and handsome, actors did a great job, also featuring others like Billy Bob Thorton, Sam Elliot, Bill Paxton and others you would recognize. This is a modern western with girl and guy heriones. You will fall in love with the characters, and learn a bit about American History! A movie well worth the watch, of any generation...
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Voted one of the BEST Westerns ever made and arguably-possibly one of the all time greats, and with a dynamic cast of stars! In this fictionalized drama based on real life characters, legendary marshall Wyatt Earp played by Kurt Russell (Soldier, Escape From New York Decision, Breakdown, etc), now a weary gunfighter, joins his brothers Morgan (Bill Paxton-Twister, Aliens. etc) (Sam Elliott-The Sacketts, Frogs, Road House, Gettysburg, etc) to pursue their collective fortune in the thriving mining town of Tombstone. But Earp is forced to don a badge again and get help from his notorious pal Doc Holliday played by Val Kilmer (and should have been nominated for the role( The Doors, Batman Forever, etc) when a gang of cut throat outlaws called the Cowboys try to take over the town. Kilmer really gives the performance of his career and plays the ailing defined Holiday complete with his southern drawl and the pale sweat that comes with the disease, However, does not reject the true nature from Kilmer's performance! Outstanding role play by Michael Biehn (The Terminator, Aliens, The Abyss) as Johnny Ringo along with Powers Booth (Southern Comfort) who make up the lawless Cowboys leader's and leads up the the final show down at the OK Correl. The romantic interest between Kurt Russell and Dana Delaney (TV's Tour of Duty)make up the side story along the way pf the main plot! veteran actors Buck Taylor (TV's Gunsmoke) and long time John Wayne character actor Harry Karry Jr. play large supporting roles as Cactus Jack and Bill Cody! The nicest member of the all star cast is Charlton Heston (Planet of the Apes, Ben Hur) who in a supporting role, always shows his true KEWL worth. Personal Review REASONS: The performances, casting, storyline, location, the hollywood's pure magic touches!! Val Kilmer should have won an Oscar for Doc Holiday hands down. And the rest aren't far behind. I will always believe what happened on that set was one of those rare times when each actor brought out the best in the other actor; but not for a moment, for the entire movie. I watch this movie about 5 times a year, just to remind myself that such performances go unnoticed is, why I bought movie. Some of the specific moments that usually go un-noticed are, when Kurt Russell roust Billy Bob Thorton out of the bar; the part of Ike clayton. played by Stephen Lang was done so well I could smell him. The relationship Dana DeLaney & Kurt Russell portray to me is amazing, for that time in history you wouldn't think they would make the choices they make; and what beautiful choices they are. Then there's Powers Booth in the river with Kurt Russellgun fighting stand down. One of my very favorites Michael Biehn as Johnny Ringo who really showed he can play a villian other than the storied GI Joe soldier hero hes always been stereo typed as. Cast:Kurt Russell, Val Kilmer, Dana Delaney, Charlton Heston, Sam Elliott, Bill Paxton, Stephen Lang, Buck Taylor, Harry Karry Jr., Powers Booth,Billy Bob Thorton! RATED R for EXTREME VIOLENCE!!! 150 minutes.Read full review
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